►... On Memorial Day May 30th, 2011 - Hingies name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.His name is on panel 12W line 83...◄

♥.~.♥ Cherished Husband of Judy ♥.~.♥

I met Henry Aderholt in the 10th grade at Hewitt Trussville High School in Trussville, Alabama. We wrote love notes to each other in my 11th grade history book and began dating soon after school was out for the summer. We married on October 29, 1966 and he went into the army in January 1968. We met in Hawaii in 1969 for R&R and he returned to Vietnam and was shot in February 1970. He was released from the Army in late 1970 with wounds to his abdomen and spinal cord. He died on December 12, 1972 of the abdominal wounds. Although I remarried for a short time and had 2 children, Henry was my first and best love and still to this day (38 years later) remains the love of my life.

Written by Judy Woodall

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My Darling Older Brother...

Henry Lester Aderholt was the only son born to Margaret Ann (Shepherd) Aderholt and Lester "Red" Aderholt. He was the grandson of Henry Hunter Shepherd Sr. and Daisy Margaret (Grant) Shepherd. At this time I am not able to find the records his Paternal grand parents.

He was raised on the Shepherd family dairy farm in Pinson Alabama.

Hingie- as I called him this because I was little and couldn't say 'Henry Lester"- grew up in a large extended with three Aunts and five Uncles.

Hingies father 'Red" Aderholt was diagnosed with bi-lateral tuberculosis in the early 1950's. Red died in August 1955.

Family and cousins and friends were always coming and going in our Grandmothers household.

He grew up loving horses, and was an expert rider. He could- when he liked- ride without benefit of saddle or bridle. He and cousins were always out on the horses. He also worked in the family dairy business. Hard working from a young age, he could carry a new calf on his shoulders by the time he was 14.

He grew into a handsome broad shouldered young man. In High School he met Judy Woodall and they were Sweethearts all thru school. She would later become his sweet bubbly bride. They married October 29th, 1966.

Hingie left for his first tour of Vietnam a brief 18 months after they were married. His photo up on the right was taken in Cam Rhan Bay Vietnam in 1967. He began his military service as a mechanic and truck driver. But he soon found with his excellent marksmanship skills he could be a door-gunner on a Huey helicopter. They called the 'Copters "Slicks".

He was a member of the 119th Assault Helicopter Company stationed at Camp Holloway. They were the 'Gators and Crocs". They also assumed the name of "God's Own Lunatics". This is what the Huey crews were called as they would often be found flying in to a Hot LZ, under heavy weapon fire, to pick up fighters on the ground. Taking their life into their hands.

Doing this he found a job he could do well and provide a lifeline to those troops on the ground. He had also planned on using the skills he acquired there and becoming a licensed helicopter pilot after the war.

In early 1970, on a mission to deliver supplies, under harrowing conditions and under heavy ground fire, Hingie was shot and severely wounded.

After undergoing multiple surgeries he received an Honourable Discharge. He was awarded the 'Air Medal', the 'ARCOM Medal, 'Vietnam Service Medal', and two 'Purple Hearts'.

But due to the appalling internal injuries he suffered in the Pleiku Valley in Vietnam... He died in December of 1972.

His beloved wife Judy, our Mama and and I were there with him as he slowly slipped free of these these Earthly bonds.